Like Father, Like Daughter

Today I wear the same uniform as my father. It's gone through some design changes over the years, but it still represents service to our nation. My father, CMSgt (retired) David P. Sousa, is a Vietnam War veteran. He and I have both served in war and in peace.

Wearing this uniform for the past two decades has also made me appreciate my father. As a child, I wondered why my dad sometimes wasn't around, why he worked such long hours and why he missed certain events in my life.

Now I understand. There are countless service members who, every day, are missing milestones in their family's lives as they support operations around the world. Even our day-to-day duties at home station can keep us for long hours at the office.

My father is a hero. In fact, everyone who wears a uniform is a hero if defined by the quote by Joseph Campbell: "A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself."

Dad, on this Veterans Day, I'd like to thank you for your service to our great nation and the United States Air Force. You no longer put on a uniform every morning, but you are still my hero.

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